Shower & Bathtub Installation in Littleton, CO

A bathroom remodel lives or dies on the plumbing behind the tile. Shower and bathtub installation in Littleton, CO covers new installs, full tub-to-shower conversions, and valve or fixture replacements, with the waterproofing and rough-in work done correctly the first time so it isn't a problem hiding behind new tile in two years.

Tub-To-Shower Conversions

Converting an old tub to a walk-in shower is one of the more common remodel requests we see, often driven by accessibility needs or simply wanting a more usable daily shower over a tub nobody uses. The plumbing side involves relocating or adapting the drain location, since tub and shower drains often sit in different spots, and confirming the existing supply lines and valve can handle the new fixture's flow requirements.

Waterproofing: The Part Nobody Sees

A shower pan, whether pre-formed or built on-site, needs a properly sloped drain connection and a waterproof membrane that extends up the walls before any tile goes on. This meets the drainage and venting requirements in your jurisdiction's adopted plumbing code, commonly UPC or IPC. This is the single most common source of a "new" shower leaking within a year or two, and it's worth confirming with your contractor that this step isn't being rushed or skipped, regardless of who installs the tile itself.

Valve & Fixture Replacement

A single-handle valve replacement without full demo is possible in many cases if the existing valve body and rough-in location are still usable, which keeps costs down for a straightforward upgrade. A full reconfiguration, like adding a rain shower head or a second valve for a shower and separate tub filler, typically requires opening the wall to run new supply lines.

Matching Fixtures To The Rest Of The Bathroom

A shower valve, tub filler, and any exposed supply lines are worth matching in finish to whatever else is in the room. A mismatched finish is one of the more common regrets homeowners mention after a remodel is finished.

This is a design decision more than a plumbing one, but it's worth deciding before rough-in rather than after tile is already up, since valve trim kits are tied to specific rough-in valve bodies. Switching finishes later usually means replacing the whole valve, not just the visible trim.

Common Questions

If your current tub or shower valve just needs a repair rather than a full remodel, our faucet and sink repair page covers similar fixture issues elsewhere in the bathroom. Pairing a new install with a toilet replacement is common during a full bathroom refresh. Larger, older homes in Columbine Valley often need drain relocation during a conversion, which our Columbine Valley plumbing page touches on.

Reviewed by the Littleton Apex Plumbing team.